Rep. Jason Woolford

Maddy summaryHB 4980 amends Michigan's concealed pistol licensing law to allow applicants to file their license applications with *any* county clerk in the state where they reside, rather than requiring filing only in their county of residence. This change directly affects Michigan residents seeking concealed carry permits, simplifying the initial application process. The bill modifies Section 5b of the state's firearms licensing act (MCL 28.425b) to remove the residency county restriction, while maintaining all other requirements like fingerprinting, background checks, fees ($100), and training documentation. It does not alter eligibility criteria, fees, or processing timelines - only the location where applications must be submitted. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Committee as introduced on September 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law. It declares January 25-31, 2026, as "School Choice Week" in Michigan to recognize existing school choice options. The resolution acknowledges that many Michigan students attend public charter schools, private schools, or are homeschooled, but it creates no new policies or affects any specific groups through legal changes. It serves only as a symbolic observance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution declares January 18-24, 2026, as "Sanctity of Human Life Week" in Michigan. It encourages citizens to reflect on the value of human life, support women and families, and strengthen a "culture of life" through symbolic recognition. The bill does not create new laws, alter policies, or directly affect any specific group or program. It is a ceremonial declaration with no binding requirements or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law to explicitly permit the sale of raw milk and raw milk products under the existing regulatory framework. It directly affects dairy producers and sellers who currently cannot legally sell these items under the law's current restrictions. The key change adds new Section 70a and revises Sections 111 and 136 to allow such sales while maintaining the law's overall structure. The bill updates the legal language to align with current market practices without creating new safety standards or requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires child care centers operating in multi-occupancy buildings (like apartment complexes or shared commercial spaces) to notify Michigan's child care department about changes in building occupancy or use. It mandates inspections before licensing or renewal to ensure specific safety measures are in place, including self-contained facilities with dedicated bathrooms, secure entry during operations, separation from hazardous areas, and schedules to keep children separate from other building occupants. Centers must also prevent alcohol use within child care areas during operating hours. These requirements apply to all child care centers in shared buildings across Michigan.

Maddy summaryHB 4692 creates a new license for "secondary school facilities" that provide cosmetology training in separate classroom settings, directly affecting cosmetology schools and their associated training locations. These facilities must not offer public services or contain equipment like hair-drying chairs, must be staffed by licensed instructors with 3+ years' experience, and require detailed floor plans and department inspections. License holders must display their license and instructor credentials visibly, and the license becomes void if ownership changes or the location shifts, requiring a new application. The bill also mandates the department to create implementing rules within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 5207 updates licensing requirements for barber and cosmetology instructors in Michigan. It increases the required instructor training hours from 500 to 600 for cosmetology instructors (effective July 1, 2024) and from 600 to 900 hours for barber instructors. The bill also clarifies that prior experience cannot waive requirements like high school diplomas or exams. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to become licensed instructors in these fields.

Maddy summaryHB 4947 requires pharmaceutical manufacturers selling products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine in Michigan to join a national real-time tracking system (NPLEx) starting June 1, 2026. This bill directly affects manufacturers of these products, mandating they participate in the system to log retail sales. The key mechanism is the NPLEx, which tracks purchases to prevent diversion into methamphetamine production, with retailers already required to use it for sales. The bill amends Michigan’s Public Health Code (sections 7340a(6)) to extend this tracking requirement to manufacturers, not just retailers.

Maddy summaryHB 5449 prohibits former unemployment insurance agency officials from working with or representing vendors they interacted with during their tenure for a minimum of two years after leaving the agency. It specifically applies to roles like directors, deputy directors, procurement officials, contract managers, and IT project managers involved in vendor contracts. The bill also penalizes vendors who violate this rule by banning them from contracting with the agency for five years. This creates a cooling-off period to prevent potential conflicts of interest between former agency staff and vendors.

Maddy summaryHB 5448 amends Michigan's parole procedures to require the parole board to consider impact statements from certain witnesses, including crime victims, when reviewing parole applications. It directly affects prisoners seeking parole, parole board members, and crime victims who wish to share how a crime impacted them. Key mechanisms include adding a new provision (Section 35a) for submitting impact statements, clarifying that parole boards cannot deny parole without an interview in most cases (except for low-probability cases), and prohibiting consideration of expunged juvenile records or inaccurate information. The bill also mandates a 90-day parole eligibility report detailing a prisoner's conduct, work, education, and risk assessment, while explicitly banning the parole board from basing denials solely on marital history or unconvicted arrests.